A Pioneer in Environmental Responsibility in the Fireworks Industry
We are one of the first fireworks companies in Europe, and even globally, to commit to reducing emissions. We have been working diligently on this for years, minimizing the climate impact of our operations demonstrably since 2020. Our climate work is conducted through voluntary carbon markets to support a sustainable world. We also recognize that consumers want to make responsible choices when purchasing fireworks. That’s why we continue our climate efforts with determination and enthusiasm.
Rakettitukku’s Climate Efforts Now
We comprehensively account for our emissions in our climate efforts and have successfully reduced them. As part of our impactful climate work, we support verified Finnish carbon sinks, which promote additional forest growth. Rakettitukku has invested €10,000 in domestic climate units generated by carbon sink projects, equivalent to 357 tons of carbon sequestration. The climate units acquired by Rakettitukku fully cover our own operations' Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, including fuel combustion for vehicles under Rakettitukku’s control and purchased energy for facilities under company management. Additionally, they cover Scope 3 emissions from business travel, employee commuting, product usage and disposal, all company waste management, product distribution emissions, and a substantial part of all logistics emissions. The carbon sequestration from these projects contributes to Finland's 2035 carbon neutrality target. Additional forest growth means that the trees grow more than they would naturally without this intervention.
More detailed information on the background of Rakettitukku's environmental efforts.
Clarifications to best practices in the voluntary carbon markets were introduced in February 2023. Criteria for carbon neutrality claims have been refined, requiring comprehensive emissions accounting across all emission sources and a public climate roadmap. Additionally, companies now must decide whether to support Finland’s Carbon Neutrality 2035 goal by purchasing domestic climate units, or to pursue company-specific carbon neutrality, which allows only the purchase of international climate units.
Starting in 2024, we will align our annual carbon footprint calculations with our fiscal year by beginning on April 1st. This adjustment facilitates easier tracking of emissions in relation to revenue. Based on calculations completed in late 2023, we have gained a more detailed view of emission distribution, enabling us to develop more precise emissions reduction plans.
Our Climate Efforts Are Continuously Evolving
Following our climate actions in 2022, we achieved carbon neutrality as a company. However, with the refinement of carbon neutrality criteria, we no longer fully meet these updated standards, despite our calculations covering all emissions. Although the calculation methodology has evolved, our climate efforts remain at least as robust as before and are continuously advancing.
For our 2022 carbon footprint, we invested in verified domestic forest-based carbon sink projects and international Gold Standard-certified forest conservation projects. Currently, we are supporting Finland’s Carbon Neutrality 2035 goal by purchasing domestic climate units. We are continually refining our emissions calculations and reporting in accordance with the new guidelines issued by the Finnish Government's publication, A Guide to Best Practices in Voluntary Carbon Markets: Promoting Voluntary Climate Actions through Climate Units (Laine, Anna; Ahonen, Hanna-Mari; Pakkala, Anna; Laininen, Jenni; Kulovesi, Kati; Mäntylä, Iris, 2023-02-01).
Partnered with Green Carbon
Our partner for carbon footprint calculations is Green Carbon Finland Oy. The calculations are always based on the GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol), a standard developed for assessing environmental impacts. Rakettitukku’s emissions are comprehensively assessed following the Scope classification, providing an accurate picture of the company’s carbon footprint and identifying key areas for emission reductions.
Scope 1 includes direct greenhouse gas emissions, such as those from the company’s vehicles. Scope 2 accounts for emissions from purchased energy, including electricity, heating, and cooling. We also consider Scope 3, which covers indirect emissions from product end-use and the procurement of goods and services. The climate impact of fireworks use is calculated as CO2e, while other calculations rely on standard emission factors.
Our emissions are equivalent to those generated by 115 individuals over a year.
Rakettitukku’s products are manufactured in China, and our carbon footprint calculation begins at the local factory. Our emissions tracking has evolved over time; previously, it started from the port of departure in China due to limited data on production emissions. While we are still aiming to obtain more detailed emission factors for some calculations in the future, we currently use the best available factors.
Our calculation includes all imported products and their emissions impact during use, assuming that all imported fireworks are ultimately used. In practice, not all imported products are sold or used within the same year, but this approach ensures that emissions are not underestimated.
Rakettitukku’s CO2e emissions totaled 1,192 tons for 2023 (calculation period 10/1/2022–9/30/2023). While this may seem substantial, it is equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of approximately 115 individuals (based on the average Finnish individual’s 10.3-ton CO2 footprint, as per Sitra).
We have no emissions from purchased energy.
Fireworks use accounts for only 4% of our total emissions
The majority (52%) of Rakettitukku’s emissions come from product manufacturing. The next largest source of emissions is transportation, with 33% of emissions generated from moving products from China to Finland and distributing them to our sales points. Distribution accounts for 5% of total emissions. These logistics emissions are categorized under Scope 3.
Only 4% of our emissions come from the use of the fireworks we sell, while 3% are related to the end-of-life phase of these products. Less than 2% of our carbon footprint is from waste management and business travel. We have no Scope 2 emissions from purchased energy, as we use only emission-free energy sources. We purchase renewable electricity and reduce consumption through solar panels at the office and geothermal heating solutions in the warehouse. Consequently, the majority of Rakettitukku's carbon footprint comes from product manufacturing and logistics. This footprint aligns with any wholesale business in Finland importing products from East Asia.
The total volume of emissions is most affected by the quantity of products we import. Rakettitukku’s CO2e emissions for 2023 (calculation period 10/1/2022–9/30/2023) are 1,196 tons. As our carbon accounting now includes production emissions, the figures from previous years are not directly comparable. In 2022, our emissions were 672 tons, but the calculation excluded emissions from manufacturing and internal logistics within China. Nevertheless, we have successfully reduced other emission sources, such as the amount of imported plastic.
Relative to revenue, Rakettitukku’s carbon footprint is 161.7 t CO2e per million euros.
The visual impact does not indicate environmental impact.
Fireworks are sometimes described as significant polluters, but this is a misconception. As mentioned, the actual use of products accounts for only 4% of Rakettitukku’s carbon footprint. The perception of pollution might arise because fireworks are inherently visually impactful, and when launched, they appear to produce smoke. Fireworks are also known for the “smell of gunpowder,” which comes from a small amount of sulfur compounds that the human nose detects easily. In reality, most of the visible smoke is condensed water vapor. The fine particles produced from burning gunpowder are similar to those from sources like traffic, wood-heated saunas, or candles. In fact, fireworks burn at high enough temperatures to more completely combust these particles compared to the less efficient combustion in vehicle emissions. Fireworks use relatively small amounts of gunpowder and are not used daily.
The production of fireworks largely involves manual labor or simple machinery, which minimizes energy use and eliminates the need for energy-intensive production facilities, unlike industries such as electronics manufacturing. Over the years, the pyrotechnic compositions in fireworks have become significantly less toxic and more environmentally safe. For instance, toxic substances like lead and arsenic, once used in old "crackle powder," are now banned in fireworks under the REACH regulation. Hazardous chemicals like chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons have also been prohibited in pyrotechnic compositions for years.
As Finland's largest consumer fireworks retailer, we oversee the quality of our imported products and sell only CE-marked items.
Make a responsible choice and get your fireworks from Rakettitukku!
Sources
Guide to Best Practices in Voluntary Carbon Markets: Promoting Voluntary Climate Actions through Climate Units.
Laine, Anna; Ahonen, Hanna-Mari; Pakkala, Anna; Laininen, Jenni; Kulovesi, Kati; Mäntylä, Iris (2023-02-01)
Determination of Particulate Matter Emission Factors of Common Pyrotechnic Articles. Keller, Fritz; Schragen, Christian. (2021-02-10)
